Football is a sport that is watched all over the world. Every time a league is being played, fans and non-fans alike are glued to the T.V. screen. But the question is, which football are we talking about here.
While the Americans are crazy about football, it’s a game that confuses the Europeans. What Europeans call football is known as soccer in America. This creates many opportunities for confusion.
So, today let’s go through the difference between American and Australian football, along with things you should know about them.
Difference between American and Australian football
The players play on a rectangular pitch in American football, just like rugby and soccer. On the other hand, Australians use a bigger pitch that has an oval shape. Australian football, also known as Aussie rules, has 18 players, with many waiting on the sidelines. The Americans have 2 separate teams for defense and attack.
Egg-shaped balls are used in both games, unlike the spherical ball that is used in soccer. The American football players are protected with many body armors and a helmet. In Aussie rules, players only have some light padding along with a gum shield.
Lastly, Australian football is fast-paced and doesn’t involve stopping for huddles like American football.
Things you should know about American football
Here are a few things you need to know about American Football:
1. American football is pretty young
American football began in 1882, thus making it only 140 years old. While it may seem like a long time, it’s nothing compared to what soccer dates back to. People began playing soccer in the 5th century B.C.
Football was invented after modifying a few rugby rules, but it was similar to soccer during its establishment process. Players had to kick the ball and then hit it by hand. Additionally, the game allows only three tries. And in these three tries, the ball can be moved five yards on the field. This resulted in the gridiron pattern on the field so that the referees could track the ball.
2. Football is not all talent
The players have to work very hard to win it. Each sport requires special equipment for the safety of the players. While helmets, padding, and gloves are common, the players also use sticky gloves. Thus making sure that the player gets the ball and keeps a firm grip on it while running.
3. Professional balls and college balls are different
The markings on professional football are different from those on its college counterpart. There are white stripes on both ends of the ball to make it easier to spot when passed among players.
4. History of the huddle
Huddles became common only after its advent. And it was all because of Paul Hubbard, who was a quarterback in 1890. Paul was deaf, and just because he didn’t want the opponents to read his hand gestures, a huddle was created. It’s followed till date. During these huddles, the team members discussed the strategy they wanted to follow in the game.
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Things you should know about Australian football
Now let’s see what Australian football is all about.
1. Influenced by a variety of well-Known sports
It was created by three cricketers during the mid-19th century to stay fit in the winters. Australian football is influenced by early forms of rugby and soccer.
Moreover, the game is influenced by Marngrook, a traditional game in which players kick the ball in the air. The ball used to be made of animal skin and had feathers or charcoal in it.
Since then, it has developed in Australia and has become a nationally recognized sport in which two teams play against each other. Each team has 22 players, whereas only 18 are on the field. Today, this game is played by 100,000 people in around 80 countries, including Denmark, South Africa, Canada, the USA, and Sweden.
2. Players can either kick or hand-Ball
Unlike rugby, where the ball has to be thrown, it has to be punched or handballed in Australian football.
If the teammate is far away, the player has to kick the ball to them, and if the target catches the ball, it’s known as a mark. Like a penalty, the mark gives the team a “free kick.”
The game’s main aim is to kick the ball between the goals on the other side of the field. Once a ball is kicked between 2 middle posts, it’s counted as 6 points. And if the ball passes through one outer and one inner, it means that the score is one point. In total, there are 4 posts.
3. The wooden spoon is given to the losing team
Although each team wants to win the premiership, there is one imaginary award for the losing team. The award is given based on the premiership points and the lowest percentage. And then the wooden spoon is given to that team.
In reality, the wooden spoon doesn’t exist. It’s just an award. St Kilda has gotten 27 wooden spoons, which any AFL team has gotten. On the other hand, teams like Adelaide and Port Adelaide have not gotten a wooden spoon once even yet.
Final Word!
Overall, Australian and American football are pretty similar games. The premise is the same, whereas the difference is mostly in pitch sizes, scoring, and player numbers.
The two can seem very similar for people who know almost nothing about both games. And it’s common because both have the same ancestors and developed at the same time.
